University Of Stellenbosch Business School  Small Business Academy 

Participants are guided and supported with an intense programme, which includes:

• Training: Training is aligned with the competence level and needs of the small business owners. The subjects covered are small business essentials, marketing, financial manage­ment, computer training, and business plan writing and presentation. Training takes place at the USB campus in the Tyger Valley business district in Bellville.
• Mentoring: The mentorship part of the programme is provided by volunteers from the USB alumni body. Each mentor goes through a training and selection process specifically designed for the SBA programme before being matched up with an SBA participant.
• Engaged learning with MBA and other students:  USB’s MBA students must do their assignments for the Business in Society module on the businesses that have been part of the SBA Development Programme. These students create a sustainable business intervention for these businesses. Many of the MBA, MPhil in Development Finance, MPhil in Management Coaching and visiting international students also do case studies or research assignments on matters pertaining to the SBA Development Programme’s participants or businesses.
• Workshops: Practical workshops are part of the curriculum and participants must attend at least two. Workshops are offered by role models and other experts (corporate volunteers).

Application form

Click here for all the application information (Annexure A)

Click here for the application form

Enquiries
For enquiries on the USB SBA Development Programme for small business owners, please contact Benji Matshoba on 021 918 4379 or at sba@usb.ac.za.

Corporate sponsorships and ways to support the SBA

For enquiries about corporate sponsorships and ways to support the SBA, please contact Dr Marietjie Theron-Wepener, USB’s stakeholder relations director, on 021 918 4224 or at Marietjie.Theron-Wepener@usb.ac.za.

Research on small business development

The USB SBA Research Unit  undertakes research on aspects of small business development in the low-income areas involved in the SBA Development Programme to gain an understanding of the diversity, challenges, financing and support structures of small businesses in these environments. This research includes:

• A Longitudinal Impact Study: A number of PhD and Master’s students at USB are undertaking research to evaluate the impact of the SBA Development Programme on the participants and their businesses. They also do research on the longer term effects of the programme on the economy in the areas involved in the SBA DP, currently the Metro South East region of the City of Cape Town.
• Fact Sheets on factors influencing the development of small businesses: A series of Fact Sheets are being published on factors influencing the development of small businesses, particularly in Khayelitsha, the second largest low-income community in South Africa. This research is conducted by Prof Wolfgang Thomas, an economist and expert on the development of micro to small enterprises. See Fact Sheets at www.usb.ac.za/sba.
• Research on small business development undertaken on behalf of third parties: The formal business sector, international corporates and government entities often request research on small business development topics. These topics are made available to MBA and MPhil students at USB to complete as part of their research assignments. Feedback is incorporated into the wider body of knowledge at USB as African-based solutions, research and case studies.

Click here for the Fact Sheets currently available

See Also

•  About University of Stellenbosch Business School USB
• University Of Stellenbosch Business School Accreditations and rankings
• Stellenbosch University Business School Academic Programs Offered
•  University Of Stellenbosch Business School Career Services
• University Of Stellenbosch Business School Campus and facilities
• University Of Stellenbosch Business School List Of Programs Offered
• University Of Stellenbosch Business School Contact us